How To Survive Your Boss On Medication For ADHD

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD notice a decrease in symptoms when they take medication. But each person reacts differently to various drugs and the side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a chemical within the brain that helps control attention and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medication improves attention and concentration for 70 to 80% of children and adults that use it. They affect neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Because of this, many experts recommend that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the appropriate dose over the course of weeks.

Stimulant medications are taken orally, usually once or two times a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak in a few hours, and should be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once per week.

These medications can cause undesirable side effects, including insomnia, nausea and loss of appetite. Some people may become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to fade over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You may become withdrawn or irritable, or even more focused and rigid. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like mania and depression.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are often misused by adults and teens to achieve performance enhancement, and can lead to addiction if used in a way that is not prescribed. Because of these risks doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant medicines

There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and which one is most appropriate for you is based on your personal requirements. These prescription medications don't affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants cause less adverse effects, but they can take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. Most of these medications are able to increase the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) nortriptyline and Pamelor.

Psychotherapy

Therapy can teach people how adhd medication works (telegra.ph) to deal with the symptoms and learn new strategies for coping with adhd without medication, such as controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp, a service that offers therapy online connects people with licensed therapists who specialize in treating safest adhd medication for adults and other mental disorders. You can get matched to an therapist within a matter of 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can assist people suffering from ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to focus however they don't tackle the root causes. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person strategies to manage their impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced by a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these methods to assist their child or adult suffering from common adhd medications. In certain instances, a combination of medication and talk therapy is the most effective approach.